Bull&#39;s-eye target



April 1939. l. J. HAWKINS 2,152,803

BULL S EYE .TARGET Filed July 21; 1937 -2 Sheets-Sheet l I i 3 INVEN TOR.

, IEV/A/fi .MMES l/AWk/Mf 5%. wwwwtz A TTORNEY 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR. IEV/A E J/M/iS HAWK/M5 BY ATTORNEY April 4, 1939. 1. J. HAWKINS BULLS EYE TARGET Filed July 21,

Patented Apr. 4, 1939 UNITED STATES BULLS-EYE TARGET Irving James Hawkins, St. Paul, Minn., assignor of one-half to Caroline Hochbaum, St. Paul,

Mmll.

Application July 21, 1937, Serial No. 154,851

1 Claim.

provide a bulls-eye target device which will include mechanism for automatically denoting the shooting score of a marksman, and in which device will be incorporated various improved features and characteristics of construction novel both as individual entities of the device and in combination with each other.

With the above objects in view, as well as others which will appear as the specification proceeds, the invention comprises the construction, arrangement and combination of parts as now to be fully described and as hereinafter -to be specifically claimed, it being understood that the disclosure herein is merely illustrative and intended in no way in a limiting sense, changes in details of construction and arrangement of parts being permissible so long as within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claim which follows.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification,

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a bullseye target device in which the features of the invention are incorporated;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the device of Fig. 1, partially broken away;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view, taken as on line 3--3 of Fig. 2; 1

Fig. 4 is a view detailing any one of several slip connections for a common drive shaft of the device;

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view, taken substantially as on line 5-5 in Fig. 6; and

Fig. 6 is a View detailing elements of the device.

With respect to the drawings and the numerals of reference thereon, a casing of the device consists of a front wall [0, a rear wall including a vertical portion II and an oblique portion l2, side or end walls l3, a top wall l4, and a bottom wall l5.

The front wall I0 is cut away to receive target members including a bulls-eye target member IS, an annular target member I! immediately surrounding the bulls-eye target member l6, and a second annular target member l8 immediately surrounding the annular target member 57. Each of the target members l6, l1 and I8 is an independent entity adapted to be moved with respect to the other target members and with respect to the front wall II! when struck on the forward surface thereof, as by a bullet, missile, arrow, or the like.

The bulls-eye target member l6 includes a forward surface normally alining with the forward surface of the front wall l0, and said bullseye target member 16 includes a rearward surface spaced somewhat rearwardly of said front wall. The bulls-eye target member I 6 is held in its normal position by a plurality of elastic straps I9, or equivalent, secured to the rearward surface of said bulls-eye target member l6 and to the rearward surface of the front wall 10.

The annular target member I! includes a forward surface normally alining with the forward surface of the front wall 10, and said target member ll includes a rearward surface spaced rearwardly of saidfront wall a distance less than the rearward surface of the bulls-eye target member 16 is spaced from the front wall. The annular target member I! is held in its normal position by the elastic straps, or equivalent,

[9. The annular target member I8 includes a forward surface normally alining with the forward surface of the front wall l0 and a rearward surface substantially alining with the rearward sur' face of said front wall. Said annular target member I8 is held in its normal position by the elastic straps, or equivalent, l9.

In practice, the game is played, or the device is operated, by shooting at and striking the target member I6, or coming as close to this target member as possible. The device includes an arrangement for lighting a lamp when the bulls-eye target I 6 is struck, as well as for lighting additional lamps, one corresponding to each target member, when either of the target memhers I! or I8 is struck. And said device also includes mechanism for automatically posting the score, and the accumulated score, of a marksman, whether he hits the bulls-eye target member I6 itself or either of the target members I! or l8.

An insulating block 20 is suitably mounted in the casing in slightly spaced apart and parallel relation to the front Wall [0 of said casing. Said insulating block 20 slidably supports a movable contact member or rod 2| disposed in axial alinement with the central target member [6. A coil spring 22, secured to the contact member or rod 2| as at 23 and to the insulating block 20 as at 24, normally retains the forward or outer end of said contact member or rod 2| in engagement with the rearward surface of. the bulls-eye target member l6, as will be more clear from Figs. 3 and 5. A lamp 25, corresponding to the bullseye target member I6, is as disclosed arranged upon the casing of the device, but could be situated elsewhere. A fixed contact member 26 suitably supported upon the insulating block 20 is adapted to be engaged by the movable contact member or rod 2! when the center target member I6 is struck at the front thereof and moved rearwardly against the resilient action of the elastic straps [9. The coil spring 22 is adapted to the purpose of returning the contact member or rod 2| to its normal position after said contact member or rod 2| is actuated. And too, the length of time the movable contact member or rod 2| and the fixed contact member 26 are in engagement is regulated by said coil spring 22. By adjustment of the coil spring 22 to exact perpendicular relation to the movable contact member or rod 2|, the contact members 2| and 26 may be caused to be in engagement a minimum .of time, and with adjustment of said coil spring 22 away from perpendicular relation to said movable contact member or rod 2| said contact members 2| and 26 are caused tobe in engagement after actuation of the contact member or rod 2| an increased length of time, due both to a more disadvantageous relation of the coil spring 22 to the contact member or rod 2| and increased resistance due to friction caused by said spring to sliding movement of said contact member or rod 2| in the insulating block 20. A lead wire 21 connects the movable contact member or rod 2| with a battery 28, a lead wire 29 con-- nects the battery with the lamp 25, and a lead wire 33 extends from said lamp to the fixed contact member 26. It will be evident that striking the bulls-eye target member l6 will cause the lamp 25 to- 'be lighted and that said lamp will remain lighted during an interval of, time as predetermined by the setting of the coil spring 22.

The insulating block 2|] slidably supports a plurality, three as shown, of movable contact members or rods 3| desirably disposed at sixty degrees apart and each in alinement with the annular target member if. Coil springs 32, each similarto the coil Spring 22 and similarly functioning, include a coil spring 32 corresponding to each movable contact member or rod 3|. Each coil spring 32 normally retains the forward or outer end of its corresponding movable contact member or rod 3| in engagement with the rearward surface of the target member IT. A lalnp..33, corresponding to the target member H, is arranged adjacent the lamp 25. Fixed contact members 34, one for each movable contact member or rod 3|, are suitably supported upon the insulating block 23, and the arrangement is such that one or the other of the movable contact members or rods 34 engages a fixed contact member 32 when any part of the annular target member I? is struck atthe front thereof and moved rearwardly against the resilient action of the elastic straps l9. A lead wire connects each movable contact member or rod 3| with the bat tery 28, a lead Wire connects said battery with the lamp 33, and-a lead wire extends from said lamp 33 to each fixed contact member 34, so that striking of the target member I"! at any location will cause the lamp 33 to be lighted. Asstated in connection with the lamp 25, said lamp 33 will remain lighted during an interval of time as predetermined by the setting of the coil springs 32.

Also, the insulating block 23 slidab-ly supports a plurality, three as shown, of movable con-tactmembers or rods .35 desirably disposed at sixty.

degrees apart and each in alinement with the annular target member l3. Coil springs 35, each similar to the coil springs 22 and 32 and simi larly functioning, include a coil spring 36 corresponding to each movable contactmember or rod 35. Each coil spring 33 normally retains the forward or outer end of. its corresponding movable contact memberor rod 35 in engagement w t t er a war ace of t eta eet member l8. A lamp 31, corresponding to the target member I8, is arranged adjacent the lamps 25 and 33. Fixed contact members 33, one for each movable contact member or rod 35, are suitably supported upon the insulating block 2!]. The arrangement is such that one or the other of the movable contact members or rods 35 engages a fixed contact member 38 when any part of the annular target member i8 is struck at the front thereof and moved rearwardly against the resilient action of the elastic straps l9. A lead wire connects each movable contact member or rod 35 with the battery 28, a lead wire connectssaid battery with the lamp 31, and a lead wire extends from said lamp 3'! to each fixed contact member 38, so that striking of the target member l8 at any location will cause the lamp 3'! to be lighted, and said lamp 3! will remain lighted during an interval of time as predetermined by the setting of the coil springs 36.

An annular frame 39 in spaced relation to the insulating block 20', and in alignment with each of the movable contact members or rods 3| and just to the rear of said movable contact members or rods 3|, is suitably mounted within the casing of the device to be moved rearwardly upon rearward actuation of anyone of the movable contact members or rods 3| by reason .of rearward actuation of. the target member Said annular frame 39 includes a rearwardly extending button or working surface 40.

An annular frame 4| in spaced relation to said insulating block 23 and in surrounding, spaced relation to the annular frame 39, as well as in alinement with each of the movable contact members or rods 35 and just to the rear of said movable contact members or rods 35, is suitably mounted within the casing of the device to be moved rearwardly upon rearward actuation of any one of the movable contact, members or rods 35 by reason of rearward actuation of the target member I18. Said annular frame 4| includes a rearwardly extending button or working surface 42.

A counting and posting member of ordinary or preferred construction is mounted upon the top wall M of the casing of thedevice as disclosed, and is adapted to be, actuated by ahorizontal driven shaft M suitably mounted in said casing, there being abelt and pulley connection. between the driven shaft 44 and the counting and posting member 43. V

The driven shaft 44 is adaptedto beindependently and cumulatively driven by each of clock mechanisms '46, there being three clock mechanisms in the present instance. Each clock mechanism includes in common an actuating spring 41, a supporting shaft 48 conveniently mounted in the casing, and a pinion 49 upon the supporting shaft. I

There is a clock mechanism 43 corresponding to the movable contact member. or rod 2| and in:

cluding, in addition to the elements common'to' all of the clock mechanisms, a camfill withldetent 5| and a gear 52, suitably mounted in the casing,

with which a pinion 29 of the corresponding clock mechanism meshes. The gear 52'meshes with a pinion 53 upon the driven shaft 44.

There is a clock mechanism 26 cosresponding to the button or working surface (land including,"

in addition to the elements common to all of the clock mechanisms, ac'am 54 with detent 5 5 and a gear 56, suitably 'mopnted in the casing,

hich a nio 9 of the correspondinecloch mechanism meshes. The gear 56 meshes with a pinion 51 upon the driven shaft 44.

There is a clock mechanism. 46 corresponding to the button or working surface 42 and including, in addition to the elements comrnon to all of the clock mechanisms, a cam 58 with detent 59 and a gear 60, suitably mounted in the casing, with which a pinion 49 of the corresponding clock mechanism meshes. The gear 66 meshes with a pinion 6| upon the driven shaft 44.

Each of the cams 50, 54 and 53 is normally held in stationary position by a pivoted arm', denoted 62, 63 and 64, respectively. These pivoted arms are, generally, similar and a description of the pivoted arm 62 as clearly disclosed in' Fig. 3 and its method of functioning will sufiice to explain the manner of operating of each of the pivoted arms 62, 63 and 64. Said pivoted arm 62 is mounted at 65 upon the casing and includes a length 66 thereof at one side of the axis 65 engaged with the detent 5|. The length 61 at the opposite side of said axis includes a boss 68 adapted to be engaged by the movable member or rod 2|, A coil spring 69 attached to the length 61 of the pivoted arm 62 and to the casing is adapted to normally retain the length 66 engaged with the detent 5| and so that the boss 68 is adjacent the inner end of the movable member or rod 2|.

When the bulls-eye target member I6 is struck upon its forward surface, the movable member or rod 2| is pushed against the boss 68 and the pivoted arm 62 is actuated to remove the element 66 thereof from the detent 5| against the resilient action of the coil spring 69. The cam 50 of the clock mechanism makes one revolution under the influence of the clock spring While the element 66 rides upon the perimeter of the cam. The elastic straps |9 draw the target member |6 forwardly to its normal position, away from the movable member or rod 2|, and the coil spring 22 draws said movable member or rod 2| away from the boss 68 during the interval the element 66 is riding the cam 50. Upon the completion of a single revolution of said cam 50, the element 66 engages the detent 5|.

Similarly, when the target member l! is struck, one of the movable members or rods 3| actuates the annular frame 39 so that the button or working surface 46 upon said frame 39 actuates the pivoted arm 63 to release the detent 55, and the cam 54 makes one revolution and stops, the elastic straps |9 returning said target member H to normal position immediately after a blow is struck. A coil spring 32 returns the member or rod 3| which was actuated toits normal position so that a coil spring such as 69 can actuate the pivoted arm 63 to engaging relation with the detent 52 and the annular frame 39 to its normal position.

Also, when the target member I8 is struck, one of the movable members or rods 35 actuates the annular frame 4| so that the button or working surface 42 upon said frame 4| actuates the pivoted arm 64 to release the detent 5.9, and the cam 58 makes one revolution and stops, the elastic straps l9 returning said target member |8 to normal position immediately after a blow is struck. A coil spring 36 returns the member or rod 35 which was actuated to its normal position so that a coil spring such as 69 can actuate the pivoted arm 64 to engaging relation with the detent 59 and the annular frame 4| to its normal position.

The relation of the gear 52 to its pinion 49 is such that a single rotation of the cam 56' will propel the driven shaft 44 the requisite distance to obtain the desired advancement of the counting and posting member 43. The relation of the gear 56 and its pinion 49 is such that a single rotation of the cam 54 will propel said driven shaft 44 a smaller amount to obtain a smaller advancement at the counting and posting member. The relation of the gear 60 to its pinion 49 is such that a single rotation of the cam 58 will propel the driven shaft 44 a still smaller amount to obtain a still smaller advancement at the counting and posting member. That is to say, hitting the bulls-eye target memiber l6 could be made to count I06 at the member 43, hitting the target member could count 56, and hitting the target member l8 could count 25, simply by way of example. The driven shaft 44 and the belt and pulley connection 45 will desirably cause a cumulative score to be.

posted at the member 43 by repeated actuations advancing the driven shaft 44. The member 43 will desirably include an ordinary resetting means (not shown), and each of the clock mechanisms 46 will be separately windable in any customary manner.

In order that each clock mechanism can independently advance the driven shaft 44, a slip arrangement, denoted generally at 16 in Fig. 4, be-

tween each pinion 53, 51 and 6| and said driven shaft, can be employed. In said Fig. 4, rotation of the pinion 53 in the direction of the arrow disclosed will advance the driven shaft 44, and, at the same time, said driven shaft can be rotated in the direction of said arrow by one or the other pinions 51 and 6| while the pinion 53 remains stationary and the shaft rotates in the pinion. The pinions 51 and 6| are secured to the driven shaft 44 in the same manner as is the pinion 53.

What is claimed is:

A device of the character described, comprising a target member adapted to be actuated by being struck, a lamp, a fixed contact member, a supporting member, a slidable contact member adapted to be engaged with said fixed contact member in response to actuation of said target member, a circuit including said lamp, said fixed contact member and said slidable contact member, said circuit being adapted to be closed in response to movement of said slidable contact member into engagement with said fixed contact member by actuation of said target member, resilient means for normally maintaining the target member in a predetermined position and for returning said target member to its normal position immediately after actuation of the target member by being struck, and adjustable means upon said supporting member for controllably removing said slidable contact member from said fixed contact member to adjustably regulate the interval of time said circuit remains closed after movement of said slidable contact member into engagement with said fixed contact member after actuation of said target member, said adjustable means being constituted as a coil spring disposed in substantially right-angle relation to said slidable contact member, adjustably mounted upon said supporting member in spaced relation to said slidable contact member and secured to the slidable contact member.

IRVING JAMES HAWKINS. 

